The WEF Government Affairs  Committee tracks legislative and regulatory efforts with respect to water and other environmental issues on the national level, informing members and providing education about our profession to legislators and regulatory officials. The Member Association (MA) Subcommittee is tasked with increasing communication with respect to federal issues and local impacts.  The MA Subcommittee also wants to be aware of local issues that may inform other MAs about regulatory trends.

This webinar will provide an update on Washington legislative and regulatory issues, including funding. Four MAs will report on regional, issues and initiatives. We intend to establish this as a quarterly update and request different MAs to provide regional updates. Please join us June 28th, 1 - 2:15 PM EDT. 

Date:  June 28, 2018
Time:  1:00 - 2:15 PM, EST
Register Now!

The Utility of the Future (UOTF) Today Recognition Program returns for a third year to honor water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.

Application closes May 30, 5 p.m.

Utility of the Future Today recognition celebrates the achievements of forward-thinking, innovative water utilities that are providing resilient value-added service to communities, particularly in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.
The Utility of the Future framework provides a model for utilities of all sizes to achieve more efficient operations, enhanced productivity, and long-term sustainability. The recognition program component, Utility of the Future Today, was launched in 2016 by four water sector organizations—the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) and WateReuse, with input from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Oregon State University stands ready to tackle that challenge, with help from a visionary gift to the College of Engineering. 

A $3.28 million commitment from Jon and Stephanie DeVaan has allowed OSU to launch the Clean and Sustainable Water Technology Initiative. The effort, led by Lewis Semprini, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering (pictured below), will build on the university’s strengths to become a national leader in designing, building, and testing systems-level approaches to the problem of access to clean water. 

Faculty in the College of Engineering and across campus are recognized nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research related to water systems. Several specialize in advanced technologies for treating drinking water, wastewater, and storm water, while others focus on the infrastructure needed for sustainable water management.

The DeVaans’ gift will support graduate students who join faculty research on clean and sustainable water technology solutions. Their gift will also allow undergraduate students to engage in hands-on learning experiences, developing their research skills and their passion for finding practical solutions to this critical global problem. Continue

Today, EPA announced the availability of approximately $5.5 billion in credit assistance for water infrastructure projects under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This financing will help support approximately $11 billion in total infrastructure investment.

In the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), the WIFIA program solicits letters of interest from prospective borrowers seeking credit assistance from EPA. The NOFA outlines the process that prospective borrowers must follow to be considered for WIFIA credit assistance and establishes relative weights for the selection criteria. Priorities for Fiscal Year 2018 are (1) provide for clean and safe drinking water, including reducing exposure to lead in the nation’s drinking water systems and (2) repair, rehabilitate, and replace aging infrastructure and conveyance systems. Letters of interest from prospective borrowers seeking WIFIA loans will be accepted until 12:00 PM (noon) EDT on July 6, 2018.

WIFIA-financed King County, Wash., stormwater treatment project to protect water quality in the Duwamish River

Construction is underway in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle, Wash., on a combined sewer overflow (CSO) wet weather treatment station that will treat up to 265 million L/d (70 mgd) of polluted stormwater runoff that currently can flow into the Duwamish River during severe rain events. The $262 million Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station — a key part of King County’s broader objective to safeguard Puget Sound — is expected to help protect the Duwamish River from stormwater pollution for the next century.

Support the Water For People Committee

The Water For People committee would like to encourage PNCWA members to join our committee! Joining the committee is a great way to show your support for the Water For People organization and the critical services they provide. Committee members help plan and implement exciting events at the conference and during the year and raise awareness of the work of Water For People among PNCWA members. Please contact Kelsey Harpham if you are interesting in becoming a part of the committee!